Waterproof threshold



C. A. SHOGREN WATERPROOF THRESHOLD Filed July 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l J?? e 7? Zo r. @ne ries 511031612,

Aug. 6v, 1935.

C. A. SHOGREN WATERPROOF THRESHOLD Filed July 9, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. s, 193s' 2,010,609

NUNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE WATERPROOF THRESHOLD Charles A. Shogren, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago W. S. Mfg. Company, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Illinois Application July 9, 1934, Serial No. 734,364

15 Claims. (Cl. 20-64) This invention relates to improvements in that has blown up along the inclined surface I2. waterproof thresholds and the like, particularly There is also a groove or recess I3 in the top of those made of extruded metal, such as bronze, and the threshold comprising .an important part of which are engaged by a. formed strip of resilient the invention in that it catches any water that 5 sheet metal mounted on the bottom of the door, may be blown over the top of the ange. 5

to minimize drafts of air under the door and to The door I4 which swings inwardly away from prevent water from blowing under the same durthe stop I5, has a strip of spring metal or resilient ing a rain storm. bronze I6 nailed to the bottom of it at I1 and In thresholds, door sills and saddles, as made shaped like a hook, in section, with the hooked l0 heretofore, the metal structure has been proendprojecting upwardly intoarecess I8, to forma l0 vided with a tongue or flange projecting inwardbarrier. When the door is shut, the rounded ly, which flange is engaged by a bent over or U edge of the spring metal rides over the several shaped strip of metal or interlocking hook, mounthigh parts of the threshold but comes to rest in ed on the bottom of the door or other hinged contact with the flange II, leaving no appreciable member, near the inner edge thereof, to prevent crack and thus forming a seal, which prevents 5 drafts or air leakage. The doors, in such cases, water from blowing through freely. If water open inwardly whereby the interlocking hook should leak through, being driven by a strong slides off from the stationary flange when the draft, it would be retarded in the groove I9, and door is opened. However, such arrangements if it continued to blow over the high point of 20 have not been successful in preventing water from the threshold. it would collect in the groove I3, o blowing under the door, particularly in the case the bottom of which is preferably inclined, and of a driving rain. would drain through the hole 2I into the hollow The general object of my invention is to pro space closed by the sheet metal base 22. This vide an improved construction which prevents sheet metal is bent up at one end 23 to fit in a 25 water as well as air from blowing under or leaksuitable slot, forming an inexpensive way to hold .Z5 ing under the door. it in place. Thus when the threshold is moved A contributory object is to provide a threshol back and forth a little, in positioning it initially with a longitudinal groove in its upper surface to and before` securing it in place, this sheet metal catch such water as may blow part Way across the base or plate moves with the threshold and facilitop of said threshold. 'tates the work of installing it. The collected 30 Another object is to provide drainage outlets moisture escapes through the opening 24 on the from said groove to insure the discharge of such outside of the threshold. There are a series of water as may find its way into the groove; and an openings 24 corresponding to the series of openadditional object is to provide, on the bottom of ings 2|, but the two rows are preferably staggered the door, a resilient strip of metal shaped to enand usually three or four of each holes are enough 35 gage the upper surface of the threshold beyond for the ordinary threshold, or even less. On the or outside of the groove, to obstruct the passage inside, the upper surface of the threshold rises of water between the contacting surfaces and in a smooth curve that terminates in a flange thus greatly limit the amount which reaches said on hook 25 which is directed outwardly, not

groove. inwardly, and which acts as a further barrier to 4U In the accompanying drawings I have shown a prevent Water from blOWng IIO the IOOIIL number of different embodiments of the invention. The threshold is held down by a series of Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lower porscrews 26 which pass through the wall constition of a door, the threshold beneath it, and the tuting the bottom of the trough. I3, resulting in spring metal strip which provides the seal; a partial concealment of the screw heads, and 45 Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '1, 8, 9, and 10 are sectional presenting a more pleasing appearance than elevations of various different forms of the inwhere the screws pass through one of the upper vention. surfaces as heretofore.

The construction shown in Fig. 1 has certain Fig. 2 ShOWS a modied form in which the advantages from a manufacturing and comfeatures are substantially the same as in Fig. 1, 50 mercial standpoint and may be considered the and are indicated by the same references, expreferred form. The threshold Ill is made by an cept-that the smaller upper groove I9 is omitted, extruding process, as heretofore, and has the cross and the spring metal seal I6 slides over the fiat sectional form shown, with an outwardlyprojecttop surface 3D of the threshold, which latter is ing ledge or flange II which serves to stop water not made in stepped form at two different levels. 55

' or other material.

In Fig. 3, the threshold is nearly the same in y cross sectional outline as Fig. 2, but is made of sheet metal 3| instead of extruded metal and in order to make it more solid, it contains a filler 32 which may be a strip of wood, cut to shape, or which may be of any suitable composition, with the metal formed over it. A hole 33 is formed in the filler which joins a horizontal duct 34 through which the water drains to the outside of the threshold.

An important feature in each of the three forms of the invention described, is the location of the groove or trough on the inside of the fiat surface over which the resilient metal slides and with which it forms a seal. 'Ihis resilient metal not only cuts off drafts but prevents water from blowing through except in very extreme cases of a hard driving rain, and in such cases the water collects in the trough and is not blown into the room to damage the floor.

Fig. 4 shows another modification in which the threshold 35 is of extruded brass or other suitable non-corrosive metal or alloy. It has a vertical supporting leg 36 joining the bottom of the trough 3l and has a fiat top 38 supported by a vertical ilange 39. The outer part of the flat tread projects beyond its support to form a p'rojecting ledge 40 which serves to prevent most of the water fromreaching the resilient strip 4I, very much as in the other forms described. The moisture which collects in the trough drains downwardly through the opening 42 and drains outwardly through a series of openings 43. An auxiliary inner seal in the form of -a resilient strip 44, may also be provided.

Fig. 5 shows ak somewhat similar threshold 45 'formed of sheet metal. The support, instead of being a rib, is formed by bending the metal around into a hollow triangular structure 46. The inner edge of the sheet metal at 41 *is pressed against the bend 48 by any weight applied to the top of the triangular section, thus forming a very rigid support.

In Fig. 6 the construction is substantiallyY the same, except that the hollow triangular space is provided with a filler which may be a sheet metal filler 49 in the form of a triangle or a solid triangularv bar. If desired, a ller 50 may be inserted also inthe rear hollow part of the threshold. It may be of wood, sponge rubber way rearwardly .past the fastening screw 5I, it would be stopped by the filler, particularly if the same were absorbent.

In Fig. 7, the threshold is provided with a strip of sheet metal 52, or angle iron, which provides a bottom for the enclosure into which the moisture drains.

In Fig. 8, as an additional feature, a resilient strip 53 is formed as a hook to embrace the inwardly projecting ledge 54. The outer strip 55 is secured to the outer side of the door instead of to the bottom, and presses against the at top portion of the outwardly projecting flange 56. The trough or groove 51 occupies a central position. l

The structure of Fig. 9 is generally similar to Fig. 8 except that the resilient sheet metal 58 is bent downwardly to form a resilient bead which rides over the upper surface of the flange 59 and then snaps down to form an air and water seal in contact with the beveled outer end of the said flange.

Fig. 10 is a structure in which the threshold 60 has a ledge 6I projecting outwardly there- If moisture should work its' from, the upper surface of which is engaged by the resilient sheet metal seal B2 in a manner sim-,- ilar to what has already been described. The trough may be shallow and bounded by two shallow grooves 63, or said trough may be omitted, and the shallow groovesrelied on, in conjunctionl with a resilient seal of more than the usual stiffness or spring pressure.

It will be noted that the inner side of the threshold is inclined upwardly to the tread, thereby providing a bevel which insures that the resilient sealing member will ride up and over the highest part of the threshold at this point and will slide over the groove to engage the surface ofthe tread beyond the same.

Many of the features described herein are adapted for use on a Casement window or other closure, as will be apparent, and, therefore, the term door appearing in some of the claims is used as descriptive of a movable or hinged closure in general, and is intended to include such equivalent structures as the prior art permits.

I claim:

l. The combination with a metal threshold, having a 'trough in its upper surface, the outer 'margin of said upper surface being substantially no higher than the inner margin thereof, the walls of said trough being formed integrally with said threshold and one of said walls having drainage openings therein near the bottom, of a door above said threshold hinged to swing inwardly, and a metal strip secured to said door and yieldingly engaging said upper surface to ride over said trough and engage said outer margin to form a seal between said trough and the outer exltremity of said threshold, any water which leaks through said seal being caught by said trough and discharged.

2. The combination with a threshold, having a trough in its upper surface, of a door above said threshold hinged to swing inwardly, a metal strip secured to said door and yieldingly engaging said upper surface between said trough and the outer part of said threshold to form a seal, and a flange extending outwardly from said threshold.

3. The combination with a threshold, having a trough in its upper surface, of a door above said threshold hinged to swing inwardly, a metal strip secured to said door and yieldingly engaging said upper surface betweensaid trough and the outer part of said threshold to form a seal, a flange extending outwardly from said threshold, the upper surface of said flange being lower than the upper surface of said threshold adjacent the outer side of said trough, and a groove between said two upper surfaces, whereby the passage of water between said door and said threshold is obstructed at four places.

4. The combination with a threshold having an outwardly projecting ledge, an outer surface sloping up to the under surface of said ledge, said threshold havinga trough in its upper surface and a door above said threshold having a resilient metal strip secured thereto to yieldingly engage said upper surface between said trough and ledge.

5. The combination with a threshold, of a door hinged above the same and having a slot in the bottom thereof near the outer surface of said door and a resilient angle member secured to the bottom of said door by one flange, with the other flange received within said slot, said angle member yieldingly engaging the upper surface of said threshold to form a seal and prevent the substantial accumulation of water between said door and said threshold, said threshold having a trough in the upper surface thereof between said seal and the inner sideof said threshold to catch such small quantities of water as are forced past said seal.

6. The combination with a threshold having its upper portion depressed to form a trough with two elevated surfaces on each side of said trough, of a hinged door above said threshold having a pair of resilient members secured thereto, each of said members yieldingly engaging one of said elevated surfaces.

7. The combination with a threshold having its upper portion depressed to form a trough with two elevated surfaces on each side of said trough, of a flange projecting inwardly from the upper part of said trough, a hinged door above said threshold having a plurality of resilient members secured thereto, one of said members yieldingly engaging the outer one of said elevated surfaces and another of said members bem bent around toembrace said flange.

8. A metal threshold having a section consisting of an elevated tread, an inclined inner side and an inclined outer side, a horizontal ledge at the top of said outer inclined side to prevent water from blowing up the same and over the top and a trough in the upper surface of said threshold to catch such water as may reach the same, one of the side walls of said trough extending downwardly to form an intermediate support.

9, A metal threshold comprising an upper span or tread, an intermediate upright support therefor and an inclined inner and outer support, said tread being formed with a trough therein having an inclined bottom joining said intermediate support, and a ledge overhanging said outer support to prevent water from flowing freely up the inclined surface thereof and over the top.

10. A metal threshold comprising an upper tread, an intermediate vertical support, an outer sloping side forming a hollow structure, an outwardly projecting ledge at the upper end of said sloping side and a sheet metal member closing the bottom of said hollow structure.

11. A metal threshold comprising an upper tread, inclined inner and outer side walls and. an intermediate vertical support, a trough -one side wall of which is comprised of the upper part of said support and drainage openings in the latter, the bottom of said trough having openings therein for fastening screws whereby the heads of the latter are located below the surface of the tread in an inconspicuous position.

12. A metal threshold comprising an upper portion depressed to form a longitudinal trough therein, the outer part of said upper portion having a triangular supporting base with the apex of the triangle at the bottom. v

13. The combination with a threshold having a tread and a plurality of supporting members therefor, said tread having a trough therein, and one of said supporting members having a slot therein, a sheet metal floor piece having a margin arranged at an angle therewith and received within said slot whereby said iioor piece may be moved with said threshold when the latter is being installed, one of the walls of said trough having drainage openings therethrough near the bottom, of a door above said threshold hinged to swing inwardly, and a metal strip secured to said.

door and yieldingly engaging said tread between said trough and the cuter part of said threshold to form a seal, whereby water which may leak through said seal is caught by said trough and discharged over said floor plate.

14. The combination with a metal threshold, having a trough in its upper surface, the Walls of said trough being formed integrally with said threshold and one of said walls having drainage openings therein near the bottom, the juncture of the top of the outer wall of said trough with the adjacent portion of said upper surface being free from overhanging ribs or obstructions, of a door above said threshold hinged to swing inwardly, and a resilient strip secured to the bottom of said door substantially concealed from view, the forward edge of said strip being turned upwardly to ride over the upper surface of said threshold and over and beyond the trough therein, engaging and forming a seal with the outer part of said upper surface, whereby no water blown inwardly from the outside reaches said trough except what may leak through said seal.

l5. In combination, a metal threshold comprising-an upper portion depressed to form a longitudinal trough, the parts of said upper portion on opposite sides of said trough forming a divided tread, one of said tread parts being triangular in section with the apex of the triangle at the bottom, forming a support, and a door having a resilient member carried thereby and engaging CHARLES A. SHOGREN. 

